Pet Night on Capitol Hill

Very disappointing. Very disappointing behavior by the sponsor HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation).

Pet Night on Capitol Hill is promoted as “Hosted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the Pet Leadership Council (PLC), Pet Night brings the power of pets to Capitol Hill, delivering the message to our elected representatives that pets are important for human health and quality of life. Pet Night convenes elected representatives, industry leaders, the veterinary community, animal welfare advocates and research organizations to learn about the importance of pet ownership in America and the growing scientific evidence that pet ownership leads to improved wellbeing for both people and animals.“

But the ‘human animal bond’ didn’t want pet food to be discussed at their event…very strongly did not want pet food to be discussed.

In a crowded banquet room in the Rayburn House Office Building the Executive Director of HABRI – Mr. Steven Feldman – approached me and introduced himself. He appeared to know who I was. While I was politely and patiently waiting to have 30 seconds with Congressman Tim Ryan (Ohio) who made an appearance at the event, Mr. Feldman had other plans for me. Mr. Feldman told me this was not the place to discuss pet food. I challenged his theory sharing that the human animal bond is often destroyed by illegal pet feed that consumers unknowingly purchase. Mr. Feldman disagreed and told me a conversation like that should take place out in the hall. I continued to politely wait my turn to speak with the Congressman.

Mr. Feldman left but went to two staffers of HABRI clearly discussing me. I heard one say “Which one is she?”

As Congressman Ryan moved through the crowd talking to several attendees of the event, one of the HABRI staffers (otherwise known as Mr. Interference) stepped directly in front of me blocking me access to the Congressman. I stepped to the left. Mr. Interference stepped to the left. I stepped to the right. Mr. Interference stepped to the right. We continued this dance – back and forth – for several minutes; he continued to physically block my access to Congressman Ryan. That is until Jacqueline Hill of Answers Pet Food played the role of blocker. Jacqueline Hill saw what Mr. Interference was doing to me and she did some interference of her own. Mr. Interference blocked me to the right, Jacqueline Hill moved in from the left and quickly told the Congressman I’d like to speak with him. Mr. Interference wasn’t expecting that!

Congressman Ryan listened to my ‘elevator speech’ of FDA allowing pet food to violate law and ignoring Congressional deadlines of pet food safety updates. He asked me to send more information to his office.

How very disappointing that an organization that claims to promote the human animal bond worked so hard to censor the truth about products that have such a huge impact on the human animal bond (pet food/pet feed). There is little more important than proper ‘food’ to enhance and extend the human animal bond.

It remains a mystery why so many organizations such as HABRI work against us instead of with us. If they truly cared about the human animal bond, truly cared about pets – we would be working together to correct the many wrongs of pet feed. Are they that naive or are they that determined to protect their sponsors at any cost (Purina was a sponsor of this event too)?

My thanks to fellow attendee Jacqueline Hill for being brave enough to block Mr. Interference. My thanks to Congressman Ryan for listening – as promised your assistant will be receiving multitudes of evidence to verify the illegal pet feed information I shared with you. Consumers are counting on you to help us!

While some work so hard to keep others from learning of the current conditions of pet food, others welcome the truth. This week I had two wonderful opportunities to speak with pet owners and pet professionals. My thanks to Purrsonal Space Cat Lounge in South Jersey and to Pet Connections Expo for inviting me to speak with pet owners and independent pet food stores about pet food.

Very sad that HABRI has chosen to side with Big Pet Food (money, money, money) instead of at least being neutral. I will let them know that they no longer have my support and I will spread the word among the other animal professionals I know as well.

Thanks for being such a persistent and tireless advocate, Susan! They clearly don’t know who they’re up against – or maybe they do and that’s why they pulled such a crazy stunt to block you! 🙂 It sounds like HABRI is in the pocket of Purina et al. Just another marketing tool (more people with pets = more pet food sales). Which makes your work all the more important!

Thank you for never giving up and continuing to fight for us and our fur babies – I also believe you need more public exposure so more of the general public knows about you to give you more support. Every chance I get, I spread the word!

Petsmart just bought Chewy. I use chewy and am shocked to see the bad info they are giving. They are telling everyone that Thailand is much safer and stricter than the USA on pet food safety!
They have this info currently on TikiCat/Weruva sales pages. Grrr.

I was not familiar with HABRI so looking them up online I see that in the last IRS filing on record with Charity Navigator, Mr Feldman’s compensation was $232,796 so clearly he doesn’t want anyone messing with his livelihood. Also it stated that “the person who possesses the organizations books and records” is American Pet Products Manufacturers Association which according to Wikipedia “represents more than 1000 pet product manufacturers, importers of pet products and suppliers of products for non-pet livestock as well.”

So, I guess, yeah, they don’t want you talking about pet feed while they’re trying to lobby for whatever their own interests actually are.

HABRI does mention on their own website that “Founded by the American Pet Products Association, Zoetis, and Petco” …. if you are not familiar with Zoetis, their website states “In addition to producing vaccines, parasiticides, anti-infectives, medicinal feed additives and other pharmaceuticals, our complementary businesses include diagnostic products, genetic tests and biodevices, as well as services such as dairy data management, e-learning and professional consulting.”

So HABRI was founded by a big pet retailer, a manufacturer’s association, and a pet medical manufacturer. Yeah their mission is clearly to advocate for more pets in the nation and why more pets are good ….. for their business and industries they represent. More pets = more business. I’m not surprised they did not welcome an independent pet food advocate and champion who is not tied to and paid for by the pet industry.

Thank you Susan. I have been following you for years and TRULY appreciate your work. I converted my pets to a homemade raw, variety filled diet of real food years ago (strongly researched, and based on recipes from veterinary nutritionists such as Dr. Karen Becker – I would like to suggest to others that they do the research, as home feeding can be detrimental to health if not done right). Any way, I just wanted to say thank you. Although I would love to share your articles, etc., far and wide, I must refrain, as I could lose my job – I am a vet tech (sad, huh?). However, I am working on my CVT, and hope that in the future once my employment options are broader, I may find work with a holistic or homeopathic vet, and share your insight and that of others like crazy. Thanks again!

HABRI sounds like another lame excuse to capitalize on the “pet/human bond.” How many times did they say, “We love them like family?” That claim, to me, means you are mearly tugging at the heartstrings and lack… well… the “meat!”
Good on you Susan and Jacqueline! Thanks to all!